Guide overview
This guide will cover the following:
- Essential pre-reading guidance before attempting an online end of block formative test
- Completing an online end of block formative test
- Viewing your test score and correct answers / commentary
- Accessing the unmarked copy of test questions
Please also refer to instructions in the relevant Blackboard year course. In particular, some instructions / test settings may differ for the Year 5 online end of block formative tests.
Essential pre-reading guidance before attempting an online end of block formative test
Before attempting an online end of block test, please read through the essential information below:
- The tests are an essential part of the learning and development process for students at Hull York Medical School. They give students the opportunity to test their learning at the end of each block / rotation of the HYMS MB BS programme.
- They also allow students to gain experience in exam technique by answering questions in two of the formats used in summative assessment: extended matching questions [EMQs] and / or multiple choice questions [MCQs].
- All students MUST attempt all formative tests. We strongly recommend that students complete the tests as soon as possible, once available for each block. This ensures that students are reviewing the subject content while it is fresh in their minds – identifying strengths, areas of weakness and further learning needs, before they are too focused on the next block of new learning.
- Each formative test will be available for a period of three weeks, and will go live two weeks before the end of the block. Announcements will be posted on Blackboard prior to each test, reminding students when they go live / close. The tests cannot be reopened once the deadline has passed.
- It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that they complete the formative test within the given timeframe. Students’ completion of formatives will be recorded through Blackboard. Students who do not complete formatives will be referred to the Phase Lead, for onward referral to the Case Management Group if deemed necessary.
- All queries relating to the tests (such as being locked out of a test mid-way through, or queries relating to specific questions) should be sent to the relevant Programme Delivery team (phase1@hyms.ac.uk, phase2@hyms.ac.uk, or phase3@hyms.ac.uk).
- Queries related to access can only be dealt with while the tests are live, and only up to 12pm (noon) on the final day of the three-week period. Note that you may not get an immediate response, so make sure you attempt the test far enough in advance of the deadline, in case of any problems.
- See the below guidance on this page if you have completed a test. If you do not attempt a formative by the stated deadline, then neither the marked online test nor the unmarked copy of questions will become available to you. *An additional opportunity to attempt tests and access test results and the unmarked copy of test questions is again provided for revision purposes prior to the summative assessments, during the assessment period.
Completing an online end of block formative test
Follow the steps below on how to complete an online end of block formative:
- Log in to Hull York Medical School Blackboard Learn Ultra. Please see the following help page for further guidance; Blackboard log in guidance.
- From the left-hand navigation menu on the relevant year course, navigate to Assessment and Portfolio / Formative Assessments / Online End of Block Formative Questions (folder titles may differ across year courses).
- Click on the relevant test. Read any instructions included.
Select begin and complete the test. You will be expected to complete the assessment in a single sitting. This is to try and replicate the ‘pressure’ of a summative assessment, where you are limited in the amount of time available and you would not be able to ‘look up’ any answers. - Please also see our general guidance regarding completing a test (quiz format) in Blackboard; Blackboard quiz guidance.
To avoid technical issues, please do not attempt any Blackboard assessment / test from a mobile device or from the Blackboard app. Please also do not use the browser ‘Internet Explorer’, as this is an unsupported browser.
Viewing your test score and correct answers / commentary
Follow the simple steps below on how to access your test score and correct answers:
Access to the test, scores and answers / commentary is only possible if the test was successfully completed within the given timeframe.
- Navigate to the Marks area on the new left-hand ultra base navigation menu in Blackboard.
- Once you have clicked on Marks from the navigation menu, you will be directed to a list of all of your courses. Scroll down to the relevant course. Click on view all work to see any grading content in full.
- You will then be redirected to detailed graded content in that particular course. You may need to refresh your page view if new content has recently become visible. If you have successfully completed an online end of block formative test, the test should be listed under the marked tab. You will see your score in bold and the total marks available underneath. You can then also click on the blue title of the test to be redirected to the summary attempt page for the test.
- From the summary attempt page you can view all correct answers / commentary in full and within the context of the question and answers. Click on your calculated mark to load all grading content.
- You will then see a break down of your grading. Please see further guidance regarding accessing Marks in Blackboard at the following link; My Marks guidance.
You should print / save a copy of your test paper / responses and discuss any uncertainties with your PBL tutor / Educational Supervisor. Select control + p on your keyboard / select print from your browser. You can also choose to then save as pdf.
Accessing the unmarked copy of test questions
Follow the simple steps below on how to access an unmarked copy of the test questions:
Access to the unmarked copy of test questions is only possible if the test was successfully completed within the given timeframe.
- From the left-hand navigation menu on the relevant year course, navigate to Assessment and Portfolio / Formative Assessments / Online End of Block Formative Questions (folder titles may differ across year courses).
- Once you have successfully completed a formative test, a corresponding document will become visible in this folder. This will be beneath the access point to the corresponding formative test. This document will remain visible to you for the duration of the academic year. The document consists of the test questions without answers and is for your reference.
